Wednesday, February 24, 2016

The story behind this song, Johnny Mandel’s biggest hit, is interesting. It was commissioned by Robert Altman for his movie adaption of M.A.S.H.. He mandated two terms: that the song’s title be “Suicide Is Painless” and that the lyrics be “really stupid.” Mandel was unable to produce appropriately stupid lyrics so Altman tasked his 14 year old son with the assignment and the rest, as they say is history. Just like Europe.